FINCHAMPSTEAD growers triumphed despite terrible weather.
The California Gardeners Club Autumn Show was saved thanks to its members’ quick thinking.
With four days to go, show officers knew bad weather might mean calling off their event, and were becoming anxious.
The heavens had opened, and many places were already flooded.
With golf courses and bowling greens deluged, and the officers’ thoughts went straight to the damage that might have befallen the members’ prized blooms.
But despite more rain, thunder and lightning overnight on Saturday, on Sunday morning, the stalwart members turned up at the Ratepayers Hall to exhibit their entries of vegetables, fruit and flowers.
“Stories were told of how plants had been rescued from the rain in the dead of night and placed in garages and conservatories to protect them from the storms,” said show officer Sylvia Hawes.
“And, in all, 298 exhibits were staged, and the hall was vibrant with the colours of dahlias, fuchsias, orchids and roses.
“Terry Miller of Wokingham won the RHS Banksian Medal for the most points awarded by the judges in the Show.”
The vegetable and fruit classes were very well supported too with Judge Mrs Rowena Turner praising the high standard of the exhibits.
“Alan Taylor of Barkham Ride was presented with a certificate for the best vegetable in the Show,” Sylvia continued.
“The Deputy Chairman’s Challenge was won by Lesley Hicks for her geranium, Vanessa Curtis was awarded a certificate for the Best Domestic Exhibit, and Pauline MacBrayne won the Floral Art section with her magnificent entry, Farm Shop.”
After a brief respite from the rain, in the afternoon members enjoyed coffee and cakes, before another downpour followed.
The friendly group meets at the California Rate Payers Hall, on the first Monday of the month, to share gardening tips and hear from experts.
For more information, visit: www.californiagardenersclub.co.uk
